[[Media:Den Leader Getting Started Guide.pdf|Den Leader Getting Started Guide]] - This entire article prints on the front and back of one page!<br>

+

[[Media:Den Leader Getting Started Guide.pdf|Den Leader Getting Started Guide]] [[:Image:Den Leader Getting Started Guide.pdf|-]] {{PDF}} This entire article prints on the front and back of one page!<br>

-

[[Media:144-Fun-Cub-Scout-Activities.pdf|144 Fun Activities]] - Most are based on requirements or electives! All on one page!<br>

+

[[Media:144-Fun-Cub-Scout-Activities.pdf|144 Fun Activities]] [[:Image:144-Fun-Cub-Scout-Activities.pdf|-]] {{PDF}} Most are based on requirements or electives! All on one page!<br>

You may have a boy in the den. What fun! These are the "good old days!" As they grow up, their friends may change. Some day if they work hard, they can be [[Eagle Scout]]s! The friends with him that day might very well be these buddies from your Cub Scout Den.

+

You may have a boy in your den. What fun! These are the "good old days!" As they grow up, their friends may change. Some day if they work hard, they can be [[Eagle Scout]]s! Their friends that day might very well be these buddies from your [[Den]].

You have a [[Den Meeting]] coming up, so let's get started. Don't try to reinvent the wheel. [[MeritBadge.Org]] already has the resources you need! Here are the three most important things:

You have a [[Den Meeting]] coming up, so let's get started. Don't try to reinvent the wheel. [[MeritBadge.Org]] already has the resources you need! Here are the three most important things:

Line 15:

Line 15:

* Keep Them Safe.

* Keep Them Safe.

-

'''Applications & Roster.''' Make sure that your [[Pack]] has turned in your [[Adult Application]] and has each boy registered in your [[den]]. Share a roster with each boy's names, addresses, home numbers, and names, cell numbers, and email for their parents or [[adult partners]]. Include [[Cubmaster]] and [[Assistant Cubmaster]]s' names and numbers.

+

'''[[Adult Application|Application]]s & Roster.''' Make sure that your [[Pack]] has turned in your [[Adult Application]] and has each boy registered in your [[Den]]. Share a roster with each family's names, address, phone, and names, cell numbers, and email. Include [[Cubmaster]] and [[Assistant Cubmaster]]s' names and numbers. If your Pack uses a program like PackMaster, this is easy to do.

-

'''Online training.''' The online training is good and you can have it done today.

+

'''[[New Leader Training|Online training]].''' Your Cub Scout Leader online training is good and you can have it done today:

* [[This Is Scouting]] highlights the values, aims, history, and methods of Scouting.

* [[This Is Scouting]] highlights the values, aims, history, and methods of Scouting.

* [[Youth Protection Training]] helps keep them safe.

* [[Youth Protection Training]] helps keep them safe.

-

'''Leader Specific Training.''' The last part of your [[New Leader Training]] is [[Leader Specific Training]] through your [[local council]] or district. A class should be coming up that will be designed specifically for your level: [[Tiger]], [[Wolf]] & [[Bear]], or [[Webelos]]. You will learn a lot and make good contacts.

+

'''[[Leader Specific Training]].''' The last part of your [[New Leader Training]] is [[Leader Specific Training]] through your [[local council]] or district. You will learn a lot and make good contacts.

-

'''Den Leader Resources.''' Your [[Cubmaster]] will host your monthly Den Leader Meeting. You will review upcoming events and share ideas. Your Cubmaster should provide a list of the other leaders' names, position, and phone numbers. Call with any questions! Ask about [[Uniforms]] and monthly [[Roundtable]] meetings where area Cub leaders share ideas. Your pack should provide you with a handbook, [http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/SearchPage.aspx?page=LIST&free_text=34299* Belt Loop & Pin Book #34299], [http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/SearchPage.aspx?page=LIST&free_text=34409* Program Helps #34409], and [http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/SearchPage.aspx?page=LIST&free_text=33221* Cub Scout Leader Book #33221].

'''Den Meetings.''' Work with your families to set up a weekly hour-long Den Meeting time and location. You might meet at your [[Chartered Organization]], a church, school, or boy's home. The location must be safe and have plenty of room for workspace and games. The [http://old.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/13-231.pdf Welcome New Den Leader] has great ideas. Also, make sure everyone knows dates and times for your [[Pack Meeting]]s and activities.

+

'''[[Den Meetings]].''' Work with your families to set up a weekly hour-long Den Meeting time. You might meet at your [[Chartered Organization]], a church, school, or boy's home. The location must be safe and have plenty of room for projects and games. The [http://old.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/13-231.pdf Welcome New Den Leader] will help you.

-

'''Fast Tracks.''' Would you like a great set of notes from past den leaders? [[Fast Tracks]] are lesson plans and ideas to help you with your ''first 16 den meetings'' each year. New Cub Scouts always earn [[Bobcat]] first. You can cover Bobcat in two meetings using the [[Fast Tracks for Tiger Cub Scouts]].

'''Belt Loops.''' Your rank requirements and electives often they lead right into [[Belt Loops]]!

+

'''[[Fast Tracks]].''' Would you like a great set of notes from past den leaders? [[Fast Tracks]] are official lesson plans and ideas to help you with your first 16 den meetings each year. All new Cub Scouts earn [[Bobcat]] first. You can cover [[Bobcat]] in two meetings using the [[Fast Tracks for Tiger Cub Scouts|Tiger Fast Tracks]].

+

+

'''Belt Loops.''' Your rank requirements and electives often lead right into [[Belt Loops]]!

Each [[Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program]] Belt Loop has a [[Cub Scout Worksheets|Worksheet]] with the maps, charts, diagrams, and other resources you need. The [[Cub Scout Academics|Academics Belt Loops]] tend to be indoor activities and the [[Cub Scout Sports|Sports Belt Loops]] outdoors. For instance, [[Cub Scout Collecting]] is for a great Show & Tell night.

+

Each Belt Loop has a [[Cub Scout Worksheets|Worksheet]] with the maps, diagrams, and other resources you need. The [[Cub Scout Academics|Academics Belt Loops]] tend to be indoor activities while the [[Cub Scout Sports|Sports Belt Loops]] outdoors. For instance, [[Cub Scout Collecting]] makes a great Show & Tell night. [[Cub Scout Flag Football|Flag Football]] and [[Cub Scout Ultimate|Frisbee Golf]] are fun outdoors.

'''Parents.''' Involve the families right from the start. While [[Tiger Cub Scouts]] must have an [[adult partner]] with them , it is important that parents be involved at every level. "Drive-by" or "Drop and Dash' parents will drain your resources and their boys are often the one who drop out. It is hard to convince a boy that something is important if his parents won't come.

+

'''Parents.''' While [[Tiger Cub Scouts]] must have an [[adult partner]] with them, it is important to involve parents at every level. "Drop and Dash" families will drain your resources and their boys are often the ones who drop out. It is hard to convince a boy that something is important if his family shows it's not..

-

'''Denners.''' Ask families to look at the list of meeting topics and [[Fast Tracks]] and divide up who will coordinate each one. If you need a trip to the fire station, does anyone have a contact at the fire department? Police department? Local park? Each meeting his family coordinates, let the boy get to be the [[Denner]]! The Denner get to help lead Pledge of Allegiance. The Denner gets to pick the treats he will bring that night (typically something easy and cheap like granola bars and water or juice boxes). The Denner and his adult partner also are in charge of setup and cleanup.

+

'''[[Denners]].''' Ask adult partners to take turns coordinating the meetings. Ask who has contacts with the fire or police departments, local parks, etc. When a family coordinates a meeting, their boy gets to be [[Denner]]! The Denner gets [http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&item=003SC gold cords] and to help lead the Pledge of Allegiance and brings the treats, typically something easy and cheap like granola bars and juice. The Denner and his adult partner are in charge of setup and cleanup. Have a Denner and Assistant Denner for each meeting.

-

Boy's who'll get to be Denner don't drop out! ''And you will not end doing everything by yourself.

+

Boy's who get to be Denner don't drop out! ''And you will not end doing everything by yourself.

-

'''Assistant Den Leader.''' Share the load with your [[Assistant Den Leader]]. Some [[Packs]] register Assistant Den Leaders as Den Leaders with all of the same training. This way you can both earn your [[Cub Scout Leader Awards]]. Make sure you have someone who will help share the load.

+

'''[[Assistant Den Leader]].''' Share the load with your [[Assistant Den Leader]]. Your [[Pack]] may register Assistant Den Leaders as Den Leaders so that you can both get all of the same training and each earn your [[Cub Scout Leader Awards]].

-

'''Fun Nights.''' Have at least one Fun Night each year. Ask each family to bring their favorite board games and soft drinks. Order pizza & you have a party! Fun Nights are also a chance to help boys catch up who have missed meetings.

+

'''Fun Night.''' Have at least one Fun Night each year. Ask each family to bring their favorite board games and soft drinks. Order pizza & you have a party! Fun Nights are also a chance to help boys who have missed meetings catch up.

-

'''Belt Loop Day.''' Also consider having at least one Belt Loop Day each year. Your den can do your own but it can be more fun if other dens or the whole pack is involved. See the [[National Summertime Award#Activity Ideas|National Summertime Award]] for a list of great activity ideas. In one day, your Cubs could have a hike or bike ride, a picnic lunch, and earn fun Belt Loops!

+

'''Belt Loop Day.''' Have at least one Belt Loop Day each year. Your den can do your own but it can be more fun if other dens or the whole pack is involved. Your council may also host one. See the [[National Summertime Award#Activity Ideas|National Summertime Award]] for a list of great activity ideas. In one day, your Cubs could have a hike or bike ride, a picnic lunch, and earn fun Belt Loops!

-

'''Take it one day at a time.''' You just need to be one meeting ahead in your handbook. Get every family and boy involved. Ask for help. Get trained. And never forget KISMIF: Keep It Simple! Make it FUN! (And always keep them safe.)

+

'''Take it one day at a time.''' Keep one meeting ahead in your [[Bookshelf#Cub_Scout_Resources handbook]]. Get every family and boy involved. Ask for help. Get trained. Each month get the new Theme, Program Helps, and other materials from [[CS|MeritBadge.Org]]. It's KISMIF: Keep It Simple. Make It FUN. (Keep them safe.)

-

That is a lot of information! And this is just the beginning of the resources. There is information on [[Day Camp]], [[Cub Scout Resident Camp|Resident Camp]], [[Scout Skits|Skits]], [[Scout Songs|Songs]], [[Scout Cheers|Cheers]], [[Pinewood Derby]], [[Blue & Gold]], and [[Roundup]]s.

+

That is a lot of information! And this is just the beginning of the resources. MeritBadge.Org has info on [[Day Camp]], [[Cub Scout Resident Camp|Resident Camp]], [[Roundup]]s, and more.

You may have a boy in your den. What fun! These are the "good old days!" As they grow up, their friends may change. Some day if they work hard, they can be Eagle Scouts! Their friends that day might very well be these buddies from your Den.

You have a Den Meeting coming up, so let's get started. Don't try to reinvent the wheel. MeritBadge.Org already has the resources you need! Here are the three most important things:

Keep It Simple.

Make it Fun.

Keep Them Safe.

Applications & Roster. Make sure that your Pack has turned in your Adult Application and has each boy registered in your Den. Share a roster with each family's names, address, phone, and names, cell numbers, and email. Include Cubmaster and Assistant Cubmasters' names and numbers. If your Pack uses a program like PackMaster, this is easy to do.

Online training. Your Cub Scout Leader online training is good and you can have it done today:

Den Meetings. Work with your families to set up a weekly hour-long Den Meeting time. You might meet at your Chartered Organization, a church, school, or boy's home. The location must be safe and have plenty of room for projects and games. The Welcome New Den Leader will help you.

Fast Tracks. Would you like a great set of notes from past den leaders? Fast Tracks are official lesson plans and ideas to help you with your first 16 den meetings each year. All new Cub Scouts earn Bobcat first. You can cover Bobcat in two meetings using the Tiger Fast Tracks.

Belt Loops. Your rank requirements and electives often lead right into Belt Loops!

Parents. While Tiger Cub Scouts must have an adult partner with them, it is important to involve parents at every level. "Drop and Dash" families will drain your resources and their boys are often the ones who drop out. It is hard to convince a boy that something is important if his family shows it's not..

Denners. Ask adult partners to take turns coordinating the meetings. Ask who has contacts with the fire or police departments, local parks, etc. When a family coordinates a meeting, their boy gets to be Denner! The Denner gets gold cords and to help lead the Pledge of Allegiance and brings the treats, typically something easy and cheap like granola bars and juice. The Denner and his adult partner are in charge of setup and cleanup. Have a Denner and Assistant Denner for each meeting.

Boy's who get to be Denner don't drop out! And you will not end doing everything by yourself.

Fun Night. Have at least one Fun Night each year. Ask each family to bring their favorite board games and soft drinks. Order pizza & you have a party! Fun Nights are also a chance to help boys who have missed meetings catch up.

Belt Loop Day. Have at least one Belt Loop Day each year. Your den can do your own but it can be more fun if other dens or the whole pack is involved. Your council may also host one. See the National Summertime Award for a list of great activity ideas. In one day, your Cubs could have a hike or bike ride, a picnic lunch, and earn fun Belt Loops!

Take it one day at a time. Keep one meeting ahead in your Bookshelf#Cub_Scout_Resources handbook. Get every family and boy involved. Ask for help. Get trained. Each month get the new Theme, Program Helps, and other materials from MeritBadge.Org. It's KISMIF: Keep It Simple. Make It FUN. (Keep them safe.)

That is a lot of information! And this is just the beginning of the resources. MeritBadge.Org has info on Day Camp, Resident Camp, Roundups, and more.